Evaluation of Sony's Touch Edition PRS-650 E-Reader
New Sony PRS 650 Touch Edition: A Feature-Rich E-Reader for Interactive Reading
Sony has released a new e-reader, the PRS 650 Touch Edition, which offers a host of advanced features and improvements over its predecessor, the PRS-600, and its counterpart, the PRS-350 Pocket Edition.
The PRS-650 boasts a 6-inch E Ink Pearl touch screen, a significant upgrade from the PRS-350's 5-inch E Ink screen. This multitouch display supports finger input, making navigation smoother and more intuitive. In contrast, the PRS-350 relies on physical buttons for navigation.
In terms of form factor, the PRS-350 is designed as a pocket-sized reader, lighter and more compact for easy carrying. The PRS-650, while slightly larger, is intended as a more full-featured tablet-like e-reader.
The PRS-650 also offers enhanced functionality. Its touchscreen capability enables tapping, swiping, and virtual keyboard input. The PRS-350, on the other hand, uses buttons for page turning and menu navigation. Additionally, the PRS-650 supports features such as enhanced font choices, navigation, and a faster processor and more internal memory compared to the PRS-350.
The PRS-650 Touch Edition is lightweight, weighing just 220 grams, and is available in Black, in addition to the reviewed Silver model. However, it does not come with any pre-installed ebooks. Shop e-Readers, a retail partner, offers 100 free ebooks in ePub format with the purchase of the Sony PRS 650 Touch edition.
The device supports various ebook formats such as ePub, LRF, PDF, Doc, TXT, RTF, and more, allowing users to purchase ebooks from various companies such as Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Borders, Smashwords, iPulpfiction, and local libraries.
The PRS-650 Touch Edition comes bundled with 12 different dictionaries and 12 translation dictionaries, making it a useful tool for language learners. It also has the ability to zoom into ebook displays and adjust font sizes from XS to XXL, providing a personalised reading experience.
Despite its advanced features, the PRS-650 Touch Edition does not have WIFI or 3G, requiring content to be downloaded to a computer before transferring to the device. It comes with a Mini USB to USB cable for charging and has a built-in storage capacity of 2 GB, which can store up to 1200 ebooks. The device also features dual memory upgrades, allowing for memory expansion beyond 32 GB via SD Port and Memory Stick MS DUO.
With its touchscreen controls, larger screen, and advanced features, the PRS-650 Touch Edition is a more advanced, feature-rich device suitable for users who want interactive touchscreen controls and a larger reading area. The PRS-350 Pocket Edition, on the other hand, targets those prioritizing compactness and simpler usage.
The Sony PRS 650 Touch Edition, an advanced e-reader, boasts a touchscreen that supports smooth navigation like smartphones and newer gadgets do, offering tapping, swiping, and keyboard input. In comparison, the PRS-350 relies on traditional, physical buttons for navigation, similar to some older e-ink gadgets.
The PRS-650 assimilates technology features from modern devices, making it a more feature-rich and interactive e-reader than the compact PRS-350, which is designed for easy portability.
